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DRUMMOND'S 

W'NTER Campaign 













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BY LIEUT.-COL. E. CRUIKSHANK. 

Author of " Battle of Lundts Lane,' Ac, &c. 



PUBLISHED BY 

LUNDYS LANE HISTORICAL SOCIETY 



SECOND EDITION. 



FOLDOUT 



FOLDOUT 



/ 



DRUMMOND'S 






W'NTER Campaign 



1813. 







~\ B^^-^' 



LIEUT-COL. E. CRUIKSHANK, 

AUTHOR OF 

"the story of BUTLER'S RANGERS," &C., &C. 



SECOND EDITION. 



REVISED AND ENLARGED, 



^ '''^^ d" 



Gift 
Publisher 

22 D '05 



Drummond's Winter Campaign. 

1813. 



From the beginning of July to the beginning of September, 1813, a 
wretchedly equipped British force of about 3,000 regular soldiers, assisted by 
a few hundred militia and Indians, had blockaded nearly double their 
numbers in an entrenched camp under the walls of Fort George at Niagara, 
and kept the invaders inactive during the most favorable season for military 
operations. The conduct of this little array had been uniformly distin- 
guished by courage and tenacity. Successful offensive movements at Stoney 
Creek, Beaver Dams, Schlosser, and Black Rock, demonstrated that enter- 
prize was not wanting vyhen an opportunity offered, and in the daily skirm- 
ishes during the summer they had seldom failed to gain the advantage, yet 
they lacked nearly everything that contributes to make a soldier's life in the 
field endurable. For much of the time they were without tents or camp 
equipage of any description; some of the regiments were almost barefooted, 
and their uniforms were torn to rags by hard service. None of them had 
received any pay for many months. This was probably the least of their 
hardships, for money could be of small use to them when there was scarcely 
anything to be bought at any price. The salt provisions issued to them were 
barely edible; medicines of the commonest kinds were not to be had. 
Much of their ammunition was spoiled by being transported in open country 
wagons. Under these circumstances it is not remarkable that desertions 
became numerous and sickness increased to an unprecedented extent, i. 

A reconnoissance in force on the 24th August convinced the Governor- 
General, who was present, although it failed to convince the soldiers and 
some of the officers of rank, that an attack upon the enemy's camp would 
not be practicable without siege artillery. The arrival of the American 
Secretary of War at Sackett's Harbor, accompanied by General Wilkinson, 
who had recently been selected for command of their Northern 
Army, and the concentration of a considerable force at that place, 
caused Sir George Prevost to hasten back to Kingston, leaving the 

1 De Rotteuburg to Prevost, Sept. 5; Id., Sept. 8. 



command of the centre division, again in the hands of Major-General 
Francis De Rottenburg, an easy-going Swiss officer who had superseded 
General Vincent in July. The American fleet th^n suddenly sailed 
from Sackett's Harbor, and evading the Britisli squadron under 
Sir James Yeo, which was convoying some transports down the 
lake, ran into the Niagara River on the 3rd of September. Its un- 
expected appearance placed De Rottenburg in a very difficult position. At 
that time Colonel Stewart, Majors Plenderleath and Williams, Captain 
FitzGibbon, and many other less distinguished officers, with 500 soldiers, 
were disabled by sickness. The remainder of his army were more or less 
affected by the intense heat, which for several weeks past had scorched and 
withered the surrounding country like the breath of a furnace, The weak 
battalions of haggard and barefooted men in soiled and faded rags, that had 
once been brilliant uniforms, occupying a straggling line of camps and 
outposts stretching from the mouth of tlie Four Mile Creek through 
St. Davids and Queenston to Chippawa, seemed scarcely capable of resisting 
any resolute attack. The American army was well fed and clothed, and 
enjoyed comfortable quarters, yet long inaction, and neglect of the simplest 
sanitary precautions, had caused nearly as mucli sickness in its ranks. The 
soldiers were dispirited by repeated defeats, and wanted confidence in their 
leaders, yet it was evident to their opponents tliatthey were daily improving 
in discipline and endurance,and that the disparity between the regular soldiers 
of the two armies, hitherto so marked, was gradually diminishing as the 
campaign advanced, i- 

On the 4th September, the British squadron appeared at the mouth of 
theriver and offered battle. Four days later Commodore Cliauncey, having 
taken on board artillery and riflemen from the forts, sailed out to accept the 
challenge. Tlie result of the engagement was waited for with intense 
excitement by the two armies, whose fate depended upon it. But both of 
the naval commanders, daunted by the serious consequences of a defeat, had 
made up their minds to flght at only an advantage, and for five entire days 
they raanceuvered within view, exchanging an occasional shot at 
long range. In this mode of warfare the number of Chauncey's long guns 
and the description of his vessels gave l)im a decided superiority, and on the 
15th his adversary abandoned the contest and returned to Kingston to refit 
and obtain provisions. 2- 

In tlie interval the Governor-General had gained information which 
enabled him to forecast the latest plan of invasion with remarkable accuracy. 

"The enemy," he wrote to Lord Bathurst from Kingston on the 22nd 
September, " having failed in the invasion of Upper Canada, it is asserted, 
by General DearVjorn's disobedience to orders in attacking York instead of 
Kingston and having delayed attacking this place until the state of defence 
made it less practicable, this error, it is stated, has marred the campaign. 
Tlie American Government has substituted the following scheme, which is to 

1 Do Kottenbiiri; to I'revost, Aug. 30, fSept. 5 : Kldout Letters; Mann., Medical Sketches of 
the War. 

ii. Do Kotteuburg, Sept, 5, Sept. 8, Sept. 17. 



be realized at this late period by combining the movements of their Northern 
army under General Wilkinson, the Northwestern under General Harrison, 
and a strong corps of observation under General Hampton, with the three 
flotillas on Lakes Erie, Ontario and Champlain. The Secretary o War has 
been placed at Sackett's Harbor as a central point from wt^'ch he will be 
able to direct simultaneous attacks on the Lower Canada, Niagara, and 
the Detroit frontiers." , ^ .. 

Discretionary orders had already been given De Rottenburg to retire as 

far as Burlin<Tton, but the latter announced his intention of maintaimng liis 

position as long as possible to preserve the resources of ^^^^ country in his 

rear. Upon receiving this reply, Prevost urged Yeo to return to Niagara 

with his squadron at once and act in concert with General De Rottenburg, 

who was entrusted with the administration of the civil as well as the 

military affairs of the Province. "The centre division of the army in Upper 

Canada," he observed, "has long been in a singular position of investing a 

superior force; it is much weakened by disease and desertion; and its 

situation is rendered critical by temporary naval ascendency of the enemy. 

Tlie policy of the American commanders is to protract the tin al decision in 

the expectation of depriving me of the means of forwarding supplies, as it 

is well-known the state of the country will only admit of their being 

transported by water." At the same time he provided De Rottenburg with 

precise and sensible instructions. He was advised to retain his present 

position as long as it was prudent, "although exposed to a lamentable 

prevalence of disease and desertion and the increasing numbers and 

resources of the enemy. The land operations depend almost entirely on 

successes of the tleet, but to have relinquished one foot of ground on which 

we so proudly stand would have lost all our wavering friends and have proved 

destructive to our Indian allies. I trust that the advanced divisions of the 

army are not encumbered with heavy or superfluous baggage. No considers- 

tion of that kind should impede the march of the troops for one moment. 

The removal of the sick, wounded, and convalescents must be previously 

arranged. Every position which the country affords is to be occupied and 

defended, and the enemy made to pay dearly for every step he advances All 

retrograde movements are to be resorted to with reluctance ; they are to be as 

limited as the circumstances which cause them will allow, and they are never 

to be hurried or accelerated unless occasioned by circumstances of peculiar 

urgency. Major General Procter receives orders corresponding in principle 

with the above. He is to keep in view the relative dependence and mutual 

support between the right and central divisions. He is to exhaust every 

means and resource in his power before he resorts to a retreat. Nothing in 

any way serviceable is to be left to fall in the enemy's hands, and every injury 

and annoyance resorted to which is possible to cripple or repulse the enemy. 

"A revision of the militia force is recommended. All old men. sickly, 
cripples, and lads incapable for service should be rejected. As the 
battalions become weakened from desertion or other causes, the companies 
are to be consolidated into companies of not less than 50 rank and file. 



6 

Their services are to be dispensed with as much as possible, and they are tO' 
be employed on services separate and distinct from troops of the line." 

Before this letter was received, that General's embarassments had 
vastly increased. On the 10th of September the ill-equipped and under- 
manned British squadron on Lake ^rie was defeated and every vessel taken. 
The number of sick had more than doubled. Sometimes eight or ten men 
deserted to tlie enemy in a single day. American officers asserted that 
in three months nearly 500 deserters came into their camp at Fort 
George. They probably lost an equal number in the same way, but they 
were better able to spare them and could recruit without difficulty. Tlie 
weekly return of the 15fch of September showed that the army commanded 
by I)e Rottenburg consisted of 2,2"^.") effective rank and file and 92(3 sick, 
distributed from (.^hippawa to Burlington.* i. 

Deserters reported that General Wilkinson had arrived in the American 
camp and issued a general order announcing that General Harrison was 
"doing well" and might be expected to come to his assistance very soon with 
the greater part of his army, and warning his troops to be in readiness to 
march at a moment's notice. 2- 

The wretched state of his army tilled De Rottenburg with gloom, "What 
with sickness and desertion," he wrote to the Governor-General, on the ITth 
September, " 1 am now almost au boat de man latin, and my situation daily 
becomes more desperate. More than 1,000 men are laid up with disease, 
and officers in still greater proportion. t Daily live or six villains go off. 

'Weekly dibtribution return of the Centre DItIsIou, IStli September, 1813. 

HEADQUARTERS, 4-MILE CKEEK. 

Col. Young, conimaudlug. 

Effectives, Sick 
Officers N. C. O. and Men. Rank auO File Only. 

19th Light Dragoons — 8 — 

Provincial do — 5 

Koyal Artillery 3 20 17 

K. A. Drivers :i 1,S 7 

Provincial Artillery 12 — 

8th Iteginu-nt 24 3S.5 244 

lOOth KegiinKtit 4 77 8 

104th Keginient 19 228 58 

Colored Corjis 1 22 4 

54 7tJ5 333 

CROSS ROADS, MAJOR-GENERAL VINCENT. 

Lt.-Col. Battersby, commanding. 

Effectives Sick, 

,„., ,. , ^ " OlHcers. N. C. O. and Men. Rank and Pile Only. 

lyth Light Dragoons 3 40 19 

Provincial do 2 7 5 

Koyul Artillery 1 13 _ 

MlUtla do — 5 _ 

1. Impartial History. De Rottenburg, Sept. 5, 8, 10, 17. Return in Freer Papers. 

2. DoRottenburg, Sept. 10. ^ 

t The 49th could muster fit for duty no more than sixteen out of about fifty commissioned 
omcere. 1 ho battalion uuinborcd less than 370 effectives. James. Military Occurrences of the- 
Lato War. VoL 1, page 261. 



7 

There is no thoroughly healthy spot to retire to as far as York. Burlington 
is quite as bad as here. The fever and ague rages and the inhabitants are 

R.A. Drivers 1 8 1 

1st Royal Scots 22 520 178 

89ih Regiment 1 J^Z t. 

Glengarry Light lufanti-y i5 ^ia ^* 

Canadian Voltlgeurs o ^^ __ 

~53 lOSl 320 

ST. DAVIDS, QUEENSTON AND CHIPPAWA. 

Col Murray, commanding. 
St. Davids and Queenstou. 

Effectives, Sick, 

Officers. N. C. O. and Men Rank and File only- 

]9tli Light Dragoons 5 16 33 

Provincial do — ~ 

Royal Artillery ~ ? _ 

R. A. Drivers "" 2 _ 

MUitia Artillery — $ „„ 

49tli Regiment ^l %' °% 

Incorporated MiUtia 5 _^ _^ 

"32 369 129 

CHIPPAWA. 

Effectives, Sick, 

Officers. N. C. O. and Men Rank and Pile Only. 

Provincial Dragoons "~ io Z 

Royal Artillery " t — 

1st Royal Scots ~ s _ 

Sth Regiment — ° _ 

49th Regiment ^ k — 

104th Regiment , ~ t — 

Glengarry Light Infantry — * 

1 84 — 

TEN AND TWELVE MILE CREEKS, 

Detachments 9 10* ^^ 

TWENTY AND FORTY MILE CREEKS. 

Lieut. Playfair, commanding. 
Detachments 1 28 — 

HEAD OF THE LAKE. 

Major Maule, commanding. 
Detachments 14 183 124 

as sickly as tlie soldiers. If you cannot send me fresh troops, the country 
will be lost for want of hands to defend it. If 1 am attacked and forced back, 
one-half of the sick will be lost for want of conveyance." 

According to an ofHcial return of the 2nd August, the number of the 
American troops at Fort George was 6,635, all regulars.* 

On the 15th of the same month, General P. B. Porter arrived there witb 
1000 militia and Indians. A corps of .so-called Canadian A^olunteers 
was also formed under the command of the two renegade members of 
the Provincial Legislature, Joseph Willcocks and Benajah Mallory. This 
was said by deserters to consist of 130 men, who wore "a white cockade and 
green ribbon around the hat." Making due allowance for losses, there 
seems no reason to question the statement of an American newspaper in the 

^Dragoons, 241 ; Artillery, 277 ; Light Infantry, 481 ; Infantry, 5636. 



8 

beginning of September, that General Wilkinson's army was then composed 
of 6,000 soldiers and 500 Indians, i. 

The result of the naval battle on Lake Erie was announced to the 
British camp by the thunders of a prolonged salute from the cannon of the 
forts. This was followed fast by news of fresh disasters. On the 28th 
September the fleets on Lake Ontario began an engagement in plain view. 
After a contest for several hours an officer in the lookout station on Queen- 
ston Heiglits saw the British flagship Wolfe lose a topmast, and run for 
shelter into Burlington Bay, followed by her consorts. Again Chauncey's 
long guns liad triumphed, and the action became so much of a running fight 
that the British seamen termed it the "Burlington Races." 2- 

A body of American militia overran the country, between Chippawa and 
Fort Erie, and their foraging or marauding parties penetrated as far west as 
Port Dover. Numbers of the more recent immigrants from the United 
States, in that locality were quite apathetic, and equally ready to supply 
friend or foe when well paid for it. 3. 

Chauncey's success, indecisive though it was, opened the road for 
Wilkinson's long projected movement against Montreal. Accordingly, on 
the 2nd of October, 4,000 men were embarked at Niagara for this purpose 
and sailed down the lake under convoy of their fleet. Two regiments of 
regular soldiers with tlie militia and Indians, about 1,500 men in all, 
remained behind to occupy the works at Fort George. Next morning this 
movement was discovered by De Rottenburg, who hurried off to Kingston, 
leaving orders for the 49th, 104th, and Canadian Voltigeurs to follow with- 
out delay, in boats. General Vincent resumed command of the remainder 
of the division with instructions to maintain his ground as long 
as possible, keeping up a communication with General Procter, 
who had announced his intention of retreating from Amherstburg 
and Anally retiring to Burlington. Eleven hundred men were 
sick, of whom eight Imndred were in the field hospitals or in 
quarters. A faint effort was made to remove these poor fellows to 
York, but four days passed and nothing was done for want of waggons. 
Then came tlie dismal news that Procter's division had been utterly 
routed on the Thames, accompanied by the report that the victors were 
pursuing the fugitives in their fligut towards Burlington. Had this been 
true, tliat important position with all the stores accumulated there, must 
have fallen into their hands and Alncent's retreat would have been 
irretrievably cut otf. There was no time for consideration or inquiry. 
Vincent retired in great haste, after destroying part of his baggage. He was 
not immediately pursued, but the sufferings of the sick, who were jolted in 
open farnj wagons over almost impassable roads, could not well be exagger- 
ated, and many died in consequence. On reaching Burlington he gallantly 
resolved to risk a battle rather than abandon the scattered remnant of 

1. NUes /ux/s/r>\ Sei)t. 1, Albany .-hx'/s; Buffalo Gazette, 1813; James's Military Occur- 
rences; DoposUfon of Francis Urown, a deserter. 2. De Rottenburg, Sept 17; Rldout Letters; 
Cooper, isaval Ulst. ; James. 3. liuffalo Curette; Albany Argus-. Merrltt's Journal; Kldout 
Letters. 



Procter's division. In a few days he was joined by 246 officers and men 
belonging to the heroic but ill-fated little band that had so long held the 
enemy at bay at Detroit, and more than 800 Indian warriors with their 
families. His chief difficulty then was the problem of providing food for a 
multitude of helpless non-combatants, whom honor and gratitude alike 
forbade him to desert. On the very day of Procter's overthrow, Commodore 
Chauncey took five small transports on Lake Ontario, carrying two hundred 
soldiers from the centre division to reinforce the garrison of 3<;ingston. The 
Governor-General, dismayed by this series of disasters, determined to 
abandon the whole of the Province west of that place and gave orders for 
its evacuation, but on learning that Vincent still felt hopeful of retaining 
his position at Burlington, he promptly countermanded them. The new line 
of defence extended from Turkey Point on Lake Erie, through Ancaster 
and Burlington to York, and was occupied by one squadron of the 19th Light 
Dragoons, one company of Royal Artillery, the first battalion of the Royal 
Scots and the remains of the first battalions of the 8th and 41st, the 100th 
regiment and Glengarry Light infantry, besides militia and Indians. We 
are assured that in the face of all their recent reverses there was no trace of 
despondency among them. On the 23rd October De Rottenburg forwarded 
to Vincent the required permission to retain this position as long as practic- 
able. "You will make provision," he added, "for sheltering 800 regulars at 
Burlington, to consist of the Royals, 41st, and lOOth. The whole of the Indians 
are to remain at Burlington, with some field pieces. Long Point is to be 
occupied by a strong detachment. The Americans are not to be suffered to 
establish themselves at any point between Burlington and Fort George, nor 
are predatory excursions to be suffered as far as Forty Mile Creek. If we are 
successful here I should approve of your pushing a detachment forward with 
a view of occupying the territory on the Niagara, It is desirable that 
expeditions should be undertaken in concert with the Indians, if only with 
a view of sharing the supplies of that abundant district with the enemy. 
Assure the Indians that they shall never be abandoned byus."i 

After General Wilkinson's departure from TSfiagara, Colonel Winfield 
Scott succeeded to the command of the regulars left in Fort George and the 
militia and Indians, supposed to number nearly 3,000, were placed under the 
orders of Brig. Gen. George McClure. The latter was an Irishman, who had 
emigrated to the United States at the age of twenty. He first found 
employment as a carpenter and became successively a contractor, miller, and 
merchant, settling in tlie latter occupation at Bath, a thriving town in 
Western New York. Confident and voluble, he threw himself into politics 
with ardor and rapidly acquired local influence. As a reward for his services 
he was appointed to the apparently incongruous offices of .Judge of the 
Surrogate Court and Brigadier-General commanding the eighth brigade of 
the state militia. He does not appear to have had the slightest acquaintance 
with military affairs. Like many of his brother officers, he had strange faith 
in the efficacy of proclamations. In September, 1813, he pompously informed 

1. De Rottenburg, Oct. 3, 23, 30; Vincent to De R., Oct , 9, 11, 14, 18, 19. 



10 

his brigade that "Your general will lead you to victory and will share the 
dangers with you." Tliis was quickly followed by a tiery address to the "old 
and young patriots of the Western district," in which he announced that 
]400 men of his brigade had volunteered for service in Canada, 600 of whom 
were already at Fort George, and added that he wanted " none who had any 
constitutional scruples about crossing the river." i 

General Porter and Colonel Chapin vied with him in zeal and braggadocio. 
They obtained permission from the Secretary of War to enlist a volunteer 
force of 1000 or 1200 men, besides Indians, with which they boldly declared, 
"we pledge our lives that before the close of the season we will occupy the 
whole of the valuable and populous peninsula opposite, and either capture, 
destroy or dispe-rse all the enemy's force in that quarter." 2 

On the 11th October these vauntingleaders marched out to execute their 
threats with 1100 men. Their movements were viewed with undisguised 
contempt by Colonel Scott, who remained behind at Fort George. "There 
is no danger of their coming up with the enemy," he wrote, "or they would 
be in great danger of total annihilation Many of the militia left thi-: with 
the avowed design of plunder, but 1 fear from reports that the British have 
left the miserable inhabitants without anything to be ravished." a 

McClure found the bridges broken down and the roads obstructed in 
many places by trees felled across them, and did not advance beyond the 
Twenty Mile Creek, whence he proceeded by a circuitous route to Chippawa, 
permitting his men to gratify their desire for plunder without serious 
restraint. "The march of McClure from Beaver Dams to Queenston," 
wrote his colleague Chapin, who soon quarreled with him, "will long be 
remembered by the distressed victims. Property of almost every description 
was plundered and buildings burned under the general's own eye." He even 
intimated that McClure had shared in the spoil. Some of the houses that 
escaped destruction were deliberately rendered uninhabitable by the removal 
of the doors and windows. Subsequent incursions only served to harass and 
exasperate the wretched inhabitants. Scott soon recrossed the river with his. 
regulars and left McClure in sole command. 4 

Among those carried off from their homes as prisoners by Willcocks 
at this time were Major Thomas Merritt and Captains George Adams 
and Abraham Nelles. The Herkimer A^nerican commenting in its 
issue of 1.3th January, 1814, on the devastation of the American fron- 
tier, quotes the Manlius Tinicfi as to the lawless conduct of their own 
troojis, which had provoked this mode of retaliation:— "During an armis- 
tice wlien our Government was pledged not to commit an act of 
hostility, a militia otlicer, commanding a post on the Niagara, sent a detach- 
ment and took as prisoners of war a British guard on Grand I'^land, sentinels 
were shot while doing their duty on the other side of tlie river, and flags of 
truce were repeatedly fired upon by our sentinels when crossing the river. 

1. MaeMaster Illst. Steubeu County ; Buffalo Crt^jr//,. Sept. 10, Oct. 2, 1813. 2. Armstrong 
Notices, II., 39. Dearborn to Wilkinson, Sept. 22 ; Porter and Chapin to Wilkinson, Sept. 17. 
3. Scott to Wilkinson, Oct. 11, 1H13; Cliapin in Ontario .Vi-ssrn^rr, 1814; 4 Chapin, Keview 
of Armstrong's Notices; Letters in Ontario J/t«t.«ivr; McClure to Secretary of War, Nov. 17. 



11 

" After Fort George was taken by our troops a system of plunder and 
outrage was adopted and commenced to an extent almost unequalled in the 
annals of French warfare. Citizens, while peaceably attending to their busi- 
ness, were seized and sent across the river and almost at the same instant their 
property was destroyed. Those who were paroled and promised protection 
on suspicion of their possessing moveable property were arrested and their 
property pillaged. The notorious traitor, Willcocks, was commanded to 
raise a band of marauders expressly to plunder, burn and destroy." 

On the last day of October General Harrison arrived from Detroit with 
1000 men, with the intention of assailing Burlington in conjunction with 
Chauncey's squadron. McClure had 1300 men at his disposal for the expedi- 
tion, but at the request of Harrison who declared that he was anxious to 
"proceed with caution and save effusion of blood," he published another call 
for 1000 volunteers, to assemble there by 10th November. About half that 
number responded. Snow had fallen to the depth of a foot in the middle of 
October, but rapidly disappeared and was succeeded by weeks of fine 
weather. On the 17th November, Harrison embarked his division in ten 
ships of war and many batteaux, and proceeded as far as the mouth of the 
Twelve Mile Creek, where he anchored for the night, i 

Next day he attempted to cross the lake, but a heavy gale dispersed the 
flotilla, driving one of the largest vessels ashore. McClure, who had 
advanced by land with his brigade, instantly retired. When the squadron 
reassembled, it bore away for Sackett's Harbor. 2 

Before leaving Fort George, Harrison addressed a letter to General 
McClure requesting him to resume the command, in which he used the 
following language: 

•'The orders which you have hitherto received govern you. It will be 
necessary that you keep a vigilant eye over the disaffected part of the 
inhabitants, and I recommend that you make use of the zeal, activity and 
local knowledge which Colonel Willcocks certainly possesses, to counteract 
the machinations of our enemy and ensure the confldence of our friends 
among the inhabitants. It will, however, I am persuaded, be your wish, as 
it is your duty, to guard the latter as much as possible from oppression." 3 

After stating his belief that the British forces were about to retire to 
York, he advocated the destruction of any supplies they might have collected 
near Burlington. 

Among other instructions received recently by General McClure was the 
following fateful letter from the Secretary of War, which must have been 

known to Harrison. „^ ^ 

"War Department, 

October 4th, 1813. 

Sir,— Understanding that the defence of the post committed to your 

charge may render it proper to destroy the town of Newark, you are hereby 

1. Smith, Complete History ; 6 Ed., p. 101 ; Buffalo Guz.iU ; Albany Ar^us ; New York ^'^/ ; 
Boston J/,W«i,vr;Poulsoii's A„u^r^■can Daily Advertiser. 2. Smith, Complete History; Losslug 
Field Book ; Cooper ; James ; McClure to Sec. of War, Nov. 17 ; De Rottenburg, Nov. 2b. 3. Har- 
rison to McClure, Nov. 15. < 



12 

directed to apprise its inhabitants of this circumstance, and to invite them 
to remove themselves and their effects to some place of greater safety. 

' I am, &c., John Armstrong." 

For the moment McClure had no thought of standing on the defensive. 
He was in fact engaged in planning another expedition towards Burlington. 
The drafted militia under his command, he asserted, veere equal to any troops 
in the United States, and he vpould take care that they did not remain 
unemployed. His mounted scouts appear to have advanced within sight of 
the British outposts at Stoney Creek He then became convinced that it 
would be hazardous to attempt anything more ambitious than "desultory 
excursions," and projected the destruction of "some contiguous mills." Will- 
cocks terrorized all the inhabitants within his reach and carried off to prison 
many of the most determined loyalists among them. This conduct naturally 
intensiBed their hostility, of which so many signal proofs had been already 
given. 1 

It soon appeared that their spirits were not entirely subdued by misfor- 
tune. A party of refugees and American militia had appeared in the vicinity 
of Port Dover, where they made some prisoners and plundered several houses, 
Lieut. -Colonel Bostwick of the First Norfolk regiment of militia assembled 
forty-tlve men, and on the 13th November surprised this band of marauders 
near Nanticoke, killing three and taking twenty prisoners, with the loss of a 
single man. 2 

By tliis time General Vincent's health had quite broken down and he 
obtained leave to return to England. He was replaced in command of the 
division by MajorGeneral Phineas Riall. and Lieutenant-General Sir Gordon 
Drummond superseded De Rottenburg as commander of the forces and 
administrator of the civil government of the Province. Both of these 
officers came highly recommended by the Duke of York, then Commander- 
in-Chief. Drummond in particular had already served several years in 
Canada, and much was expected from his local knowledge and experience, as 
well as his characteristic energy and zeal. 3 

The health of the troops had distinctly improved since their retreat to 
Burlington, and they were reported to be in excellent spirits, and longing 
lor employment. They were destined soon to be put to the proof. Late in 
the afternoon of the I9th November, scouts came into the outpost at Stoney 
Creek with intelligence that Willcocks was out upon a raid, and Colonel John 
Murray, inspecting tield officer, who commanded the advance guard, moved 
forward towards the " Forty "in hopes of encountering that enterprising 
and obnoxious partizan. Willcocks avoided a conflict by an abrupt retreat 
on the main body, and General McClure at once abandoned his projected expe- 
dition and retired within his entrenchments. After this his forces melted 
swiftly away, many deserting. Tlie term of service for which many of his 
volunteers had enlisted would expire in a few days, and if they went away 

1. McClure to See. of War, Nov. 21. 2. Buffalo Grt2<^«t'.- Examination of Maybee, taken 
by Bostwick ; Bostwick to Vincent, Nov. 14. 3. Duke of York to Sir Geo. Prevost, August 10, 
1S13. 



13 

he would be left to depend solely upon the detachments of regulars and a 
small body of drafted men. i 

Plaving learned that the garrisons of regular soldiers in Forts George and 
Niagara had been diminished by the movement of troops to Sackett's Harbor, 
and relieved of all apprehension of an attack on Montreal by the v^ithdrawal 
of General Wilkinson's army into winter quarters, the Governor-General 
directed Drummond to hold his right division in readiness to "act with 
promptitude when required to take advantage of the weakness or negligence 
of the enemy." 2 

Vincent's last act before turning over the command to General Eiall was 
to send a detachment of regulars to re-occupy Turkey Point and support the 
Norfolk militia in their gallant resistance to the marauders. At the same 
time the Royal Scots and 100th were pushed forward to the Forty Mile 
Creek, where they were quartered in farm houses and barns. On the 7th 
December Colonel Murray obtained permission to reconnoitre as far as the 
Twelve with about 500 men and two field guns, moving his infantry in sleighs 
collected for the purpose.* 3 

Preparatory to this movement, the dragoons and Indians, guided by 
Captain W. H. Merritt whose intimate knowledge of the country was invalu- 
able, scoured the roads for three days and made several prisoners besides 
capturing a quantity of supplies that had been collected by the enemy's 
foraging parties. The country between the lines was at the mercy of small 
bands of lawless men, and from the reports of the prisoners and others it 
seemed evident that it was the intention of the American general to 
devastate the entire district from the Twelve Mile Creek to the Niagara 
River, and strip the inhabitants of the scanty remainder of their cattle and 
grain. So many isolated farm houses had already been wantonly burned 
that this rumor did not seem in the least improbable. General McClure's 
division was also stated to be much weakened by desertion and in a bad state 
of discipline. ^ 

Murray promptly determined to exceed his instructions, and make a bold 
dash at Fort George. At the Twenty Mile Creek, on the morning of the 
10th, he dispersed a scouting party of Willcocks's mounted infantry, killing 
one and taking four prisoners. The fugitives increased the panic that 
already prevailed in the American camp by reporting that one of their 
captured comrades had been given up to their tender mercies of the Indians. 

* Royal Artillery, one 6 pounder, one S}4 inch howitzer. 

19th Dragoons 25 rank and file, Cornet Huson. 

Provincial Dragoons • ■ • 14 rank and file, Captain Merritt. 

100th Kegiment 340 rank and file, Lieut.-Col. Hamilton. 

Volunteers 20 rank and file, Capts. Wilson and Kerby. 

Indians 70 rank and file, Col. Matthews Elliott and Capt. Caldwell. 

469 



1 McClure to Sec. of War, Dec. 13 ; Ibid to the Public, Jan. 1, 1814. 2. Prevost to Lord Bathurst, 
Dec. 22, 1813 ; Ibid, Jan. 6, 1814. 3. De Rottenburg to Vincent, Oct. 30 ; Vincent to De R., 
Nov. l.'i; Drummond to Prevost, Dec. 6. 4. Merritt's Journal; James, Mil. Occ; Murray to 
Vincent, Dec. 13. 



14 

The time of service of a majority of tlie volunteer militia had expired the 
day before, and although a considerable bounty was offered to induce them 
to re-enlist not more than fifty would then agree to remain. The rest fairly 
became mutinous when they found that the whole of their pay was not forth- 
coming. "The best and most subordinate militia that have yet been on this 
frontier," General McClure wrote to the Secretary of War, "finding that 
their wages were not ready for them, became, with some meritorious excep- 
tions, a disaffected and ungovernable multitude." When they had recrossed 
the river, if he may be believed, the garrison of Fort George was reduced to 
less than one hundred men. When Scott marched away, six weeks before, 
he stated that he left it complete as a field work, with ten pieces of artillery 
mounted on the walls. McClure now hurriedly convened a council of war 
and submitted the question whether the fort was tenable with the force at 
his disposal. The members unanimously replied that is was not. He of 
course determined to abandon it, but before doing so gave orders for the im- 
mediate destruction of the village of Niagara, or rather such part of it as 
had escaped the perils of the previous campaigns. This resolution seems to 
liave been actuated partly by a desire to punish the inhabitants for their 
active and persistent loyalty, and partly by the hope of depriving the British 
troops of shelter near the river, but McClure contideotly justified it by re- 
ferring bo the Secretary's letter of the 4th October, already cited, i. 

"The village of Newark is now in flames," he said in a letter to Arm- 
strong, "the few reraaininginhabitants having been notified of our intention, 
were enabled to remove their property. The houses were generally 
vacant long before. Tliis step has not been taken without counsel, and is in 
conformity with the views of Your Excellency disclosed to me in a former 
communication, the enemy now are completely shut out from the hopes or 
means of wintering in the vicinity of Fort George." 2 

Had that object been really attained, it is scarcely probable that 
McClure's conduct would have provoked the censure of his superior, but the 
swift and merciless retaliation that followed raised a storm of indignation 
throughout tlie United States, and tlie Secretary of War then attempted to 
screen himself by asserting that the general had misinterpreted his instruc- 
tions. He had authorized him to burn the village only in case it was deemed 
necessary for the defence of the fort, but McClure had burned it and then 
run away. 3 

At four o'clock in the morning of the 10th,;when the American general 
must still have intended to retain possession of Fort George, some of the 
inhabitants were aroused from sleep and informed that in two hours their 

1. McClure to Tompkios, Nov. 21, Dec. 10, U ; Ibid to Sec. of War, Dec, 10; Scott to Sec. of 
War, Dec. 31. 

2. McClure to Sec, of War, Dec. 10. 

3. Geni'ral Jolin Armstrong to Govcrtior ToDipkins, 2bth Dec, rSi^: 

" McClure had not. aa you suppose, authority for doing anything that he did. If he could 
not hold Fort George, destroy it, but then let him take care of his principal fortress. This was 
partliMilarly his laisiness. But away he runs to Buffalo and then finds the enemy at Lewlston, 
and Niagara in danger. He hints that Niagara was destroyed by my orders. This is a great 
error. My orders were to burn it if necessary to the defence of Fort George, and not otherwise. 
But he does not defend Fort George and then burns Niagara. My orders were given on the re- 
port of the general that the attai;k of Fort George might be covered by Newark." 



15 

dwellings would be burnt. Several profited by the warning and removed 
their furniture, but many were slow to believe it, particularly when the 
appointed hour passed and there was no appearance of the threat being 
carried into execution. Nearly all the younger men were absent; some 
serving in the militia at Burlington, otliers prisoners in the United States. 
In the course of the day snow began to fall and the wind rose to a gale. It 
was nearly dark when the parties detailed for the purpose sallied from the fort 
and began the work of destruction. Chapin publicly asserted that 
" McClure, aided by that perjured villain, Joseph Willcocks, actually led his 
men through the town setting fire to houses." Be this as it may, the 
conflagration was rapid and complete. According to the Governor General's 
manifesto, justifying subsequent acts of retaliation, 150 buildings were 
destroyed and 400 "helpless women and children" rendered homeless. An- 
other account states that 80 dwellings were burnt in the village and 18 in the 
immediate vicinity. Only one house escaped. Although the wife of William 
Dickson, a well-known lawyer and pronounced loyalist, then a prisoner in 
Fort Niagara, was ill in bed, the house was not spared in consequence. The 
incendiaries seized the bed containing the sick woman and set it down on 
the snow in the street outside, whence she witnessed the entire destruction 
of her home with all its contents, including a collection of books which had 
cost her husband £000 in England. Several others were too ill to walk and 
two women had actually given birth to children the night before. Fortun- 
ately a few farm houses remained standing about four miles distant. To 
these the wretched fugitives directed their flight, but they were insufficient 
to shelter so many persons, and some were compelled to travel eight or tea 
miles further in the face of a blinding snowstorm, i * 

The flames of the burning building were soon seen by some of Murray's 
scouts, and the news was swiftly carried to the main body, which had halted 
after crossing the Twelve. The whole column was instantly put in motion, 
raising the militia and collecting axes and ladders for the assault of the fort 
as it went along. The sight of forlorn groups of women and children by the 
roadside filled the soldiers with rage as they approached the place, which 
they reached about nine o'clock at night. The fortifications were found de- 
serted but intact. They had recently been so much strengthened that 
Murray reported them capable of sustaining a regular siege. After remov- 
ing one or two light guns, the garrison had tumbled the rest of their artillery 
into the ditch, where it was discovered next morning. The arsenal had been 
burnt and the principal magazine blown up, but several smaller magazines 
with their contents were absolutely uninjured. So precipitate was their re- 
treat that tents for fifteen hundred men were left standing. So far from de- 

*Tliere was little disposition to justify General McClure's act in the United States. '-Among 
the people at the Court Meeting (Oct 25th, 181fi), was the mUitla General McClure, ' writes Lieut. 
Francis Hall in his Travels p. p. 250-1. "He keeps a store at Bath. He had lately been cast in 
?14(K) damages at Canaudaigua in an action bought by an inhabitant of Newark for the destruc- 
tion of his property. Being on one occasion recognized at a public auction mart at Philadelphia 
he was hooted out of the room." 



1. Merritt; James; Bishop Strachan's Letter to Jefferson; Letters of Veritas; Chapin in 
Ontario Mcssc/i^fr, 1814. 



16 

priving his pursuers of shelter, a range of new barracks here and another at> 
Chippawa were abandoned by McClure ready for occupation. Even then 
tliey were so close at his heels that ten of his men who lagged behind were 
made prisoners. The ordnance taken formed a prize of no small import- 
ance. * 1 

"I trust the indefatigable exertions of this handful of men," Murray 
wrote, "•have rendered an essential service uO the country by rescuing from 
a merciless enemy the inhabitants of an extensive and highly cultivated 
tract of land stored with cattle, grain and provisions of every description, 
and it must be an exultation to them to find themselves delivered from the 
oppression of a lawless banditti composed of the disaffected of the country, 
organized under the direct influence of the American Government, who 
caused terror and dismay unto every family." 

Next day detachments in sleighs were sent out to scour the country in 
search of the predatory bands that had so long annoyed the inhabitants. As 
they moved up the river road the American batteries at Lewiston opened 
tire with red hotshot upon the defenceless village of Queenston, with the 
obvious design of destroying it like Niagara. On the 12th, Captain James 
Kerby, with a few militia and Indians, reoccupied Fort Erie. A party of 
American militia was surprised in the act of recrossing the river. The pilot 
of the ferry boat being shot dead by an Indian, it Was taken, with about 
twenty prisoners. 2 

On the same day Lieut. -Gen. Drummond reached York, where he was 
informed of Colonel Murray's unexpected success. He pressed forward by 
forced marches, and on the 16th arrived at St. Davids, where he established 
his headquarters. 3 

General McClure appears to have partially recovered from his panic as 
soon as he had fairly put the river behind liim. On the 11th he issued a 
requisition for another draft of 1000 men from the adjacent militia district, 
which he had just received from the Governor of the State. He put Captain 
Leonard, the senior artillery officer, in command of Fort Niagara, where he 
had a garrison of nearly 400 regular soldiers, consisting of two companies of 
artillery and two of the 24th United States Infantry. Col. Grieves, of the 
7th New York Artillery, was sent with two guns to Lewiston, with 
instructions to bombard Queenston and destroy the few remaining houses in 
that much battered hamlet. Willcocks was posted uff to Washington to 
seek some reward for his treason, butMallory with his regiment of Canadian 
volunteers was stationed at Schlosser. General Porter was required to call 
out all the Indians and local militia for the defence of Black Rock. "The 
enemy," McClure wrote, "is much exasperated and will make a descent on 
this frontier if possible, but I shall watch them close until a reinforcement 
of militia and volunteers arrive, when I shall endeavor to repossess myself of 

* Two twelve pounders, five nine pounders, 750 twelve pound shot, 1307 nine pound shot, 1055 
six pound shot, 37 four pound shot, 74 twelve pounder grape shot.one nine pounder garrison car- 
riage, oue twelve pounder Umber, three six pounder limbers, two tumbrils. 

1. Merritt Journal; Murray to Vincent, Dec. 13, Losslng. 2. McClure to Sec. of War, Dec. 
13 ; Buffalo Gazfite, KecoUectlons Lewis of Palmer. 3. Drummond to Prevost, Dec. 18. 



17 

Fort George and drive tliera back to Burlington." He kept his pledge of 
vigilance by tlie instant removal of his headquarters to Buffalo, thirty-tive 
miles distant, where an attack seemed least probable, and ordered 200 regulars 
to advance from Canandaigua to that place, i 

His statements as to the number of his troops are shown by official 
returns to be quite untrustworthy. 

Preparations for crossing the river had been begun by Colonel Murray 
on bis own responsibility immediately after recovering Fort George, but the 
difficulty of finding comfortable quarters for his men in bitterly cold weather 
caused some delay. Tlie enemy had destroyed or removed all the river craft, 
and but two boats fit for use could be found on the spot. The Lincoln 
militia, however, burning for revenge on the spoiler of tlieir homes, eagerly 
volunteered to bring down a sufficient number of batteaux from Burlington. 
The night of the 17tli was actually fixed for the passage of the river, and the 
troops were kept under arms for several hours, but a lieavy gale had delayed 
some of the boats and the passage was postponed. Meanwhile several non- 
combataats who had been deported to the United States in June, and de- 
tained there in confinement ever since, were imprudently released on 
parole and allowed to return to Niagara. From them Drummond 
obtained valuable information respecting the position and numbers of the 
American troops, and framed his plans accordingly. On the other hand, in 
spite of every precaution to ensure secrecy, rumors of the projected attack on 
Fort Niagara reached the enemy and on the nights of the ITth and 18th the 
garrison of that place was actually kept under arms expecting it. On the 
18th General McClure published another address to the militia of Niagara, 
Genesee and Chatauqua counties, requesting every man who was able to bear 
arms to come to his support. "The enemy," he declared, "are now laying 
waste tiieir own country. Every man who does not take up arms or who 
are disposed to remain neutral, are inhumanly butchered, their property 
plundered and their buildings destroyed. Information has just been re- 
ceived that six or eiglit or their most respectable inhabitants between 
QueenstonandFortGeorgehavefallenvictims to their barbarity. . . . What 
then, fellow citizens, have you to expect from such an enemy should they 
invade your frontier,';"' "Since the above was prepared," he added by way 
of .postscript, "'I have received intelligence by a credible inhabitant 
from Canada (who has just escaped from tlience) that the enemy are concen- 
trating all their forces and boats at Fort George, and have fixed upon 
to-morrow night for attacking Fort Niagara, and should they succeed they 
will lay waste our whole frontier." 2 

The same day Colonel Murray received final instructions for the assault. 
At St. Davids, nestled among the hills, the troops could be assembled 
without attracting attention on the other bank. A sufficient number of 
boats lay concealed in the ravine of the Two Mile Run to carry over in two 

1 McClure to Gov. Tompkins, Dec. 12; Col. W. Scott to Secretary of War, Dec. 31; Arin- 
strcug ; James' Mil. Occ. 2. Drummond to Prevost, Dec. 18. Merrltt, Journal. 



18 

trips a storming party which consisted of 562* men, besides a detachment of 
militia volunteers bearing ladders and axes. They were directed to land at 
the Five Mile Meadow and move at once against the outlying picket at 
Youngstown. 

" The men must be silent and not load without orders, and rely chiefly 
on the bayonet," read the order. Tlie remainder of the regulars and the 
whole of the Indians would immediately cross the river in support. Colonel 
Elliott was directed to warn the Indians to abstain from plunder and acts of 
violence to women and children. '• I cannot consent to employ them," said 
Drummond, " except on this condition." i 

The garrison of the fort at this time consisted of about 430 officers and 
men, all regular soldiers, about fifty of whom were ineffective from sickness. t 

Twenty-seven pieces of cannon were mounted on the bastions and on the 
flat roofs of three stone towers and a range of barracks within. An attempt 
to carry the place by escalade had apparently been apprehended from the 
first by General McClure. Hand grenades were stored in the block houses 
ready for use, and the companies had been assigned the positions they were 
to occupy in case of an assault. If they were unable to defend the outworks 
they were to retire to the towers and barracks. But the fear of an attack 
had now quite subsided, and before midnight Captain Leonard rode off to 
visit his family at a farm house two miles away. 2 

At 10 p. m. Murray's column left St. Davids and marched silently through 
the woods to the boats. The passage of the river was accomplished in fault- 
less order, and the "forlorn hope" of twenty veteran soldiers, chosen 
specially for this grim work, headed by Lieut. Dawson and Sergeant Spear- 
man of the lOOth, pressed stealthily forward to surprise the advance piquet, 
which was quartered in a uirge tavern at Youngstown, with the merciless 
instructions that every man in it must be put to death. The ground was 
covered with a ligiit blanket of snow which rendered their approach 
absolutely noiseless, and the intense cold had driven even the sentries inside. 
The house was quietly surrounded and on peering through the windows it 
was seen that many of the party were asleep and the remainder playing 
cards. The entire piquet paid the penalty of their almost incredible 
negligence with their lives. The watchword for the night was first 
extorted from these unhappy men and they were then pitilessly stabbed to 
death. A second piquet in a house about half way between Youngstown 

•Koyal Artniery 12 

Grenadier Co. Koyals 1(10 

Plauk Companies, 4l9t 100 

lOOtb Regiment 350 

502 
tMorning report of Garrison of Fort Niagara, 15th Dec , 1813: 

Capt. Leonard's Co , present 74 rank and flie, absent 19 

Capt. Hampton's Co , present 88 rank and file, absent 17 

Lieut. Peak's (!o . present 118 rank and file, absent 9 

Lieut. Frederick's Co., present.. 44 rank and file, absent 

324 45 



1. Col J. Harvey, Instructions to Col. Murray, Dec. 18. 2. McClure to the Public, Jan. 
1st, 1814; Gen. Cass to Secretary of War, 12th Jan., 1814 ; Miles' Rf^/shf : BuSalo Cuzciic',lSU. 



19 

and the fort, was surprised and dispatched ia a similar manner, not a man 
escaping. These two piqupts were composed of about forty men. i 

Arrangements were then completed for the assault of the fort in three 
columns. The principal attack, directed against the main gate and adjacent 
works, was headed by Lieub. Dawson's forlorn hope, followed by the gren- 
adiers of the 100th under Captain Fawcett, twelve men of the Royal 
Artillery, bearing hand grenades, commanded by Lieut. Charlton, and five 
c )mpanies of the 100th, led by Lieut-Col. Hamilton. This column was 
guided by Captain Elliott, of the Quartermaster General's department, and 
supported by the flank companies of the 41st under Lieut. Bullock. Three 
companies of the 10i»th, under Captain Martin, were detailed to assault the 
eastern demi-bastion, and the grenadiers of the Royal Scots, under Captain 
Bailey, were directed to escalade the salient angle. These detachments 
were piloted by Captain Kerby and Lieuts. Ball, Servos and Hamilton, of the 
Lincoln militia Captain John Norton, the Mohawk chief, also accompanied 
the storming party as a volunteer. 2 

Having lost a leg in Holland, many years before, Lieut.-Col. Hamilton 
was unable to accompany his regiment on foot. As he obstinately insisted 
on leading it into action on every occasion, a horse had been ferried over 
with great dltticulty, and this animal now nearly caused the discovery of 
their approach. Arms were carried at "the shoulder" to diminish the 
chances of their clashing and the march was accomplished very quietly until 
the head of the main column had nearly reached the ditch, when the Colonel's 
horse neighed loudly and was answered with startling shrillness by another 
from a stable inside the gate. The whole party stood still in breathless dis- 
miy, but to their relief no sound of alarm was heard within. Much to their 
surprise the drawbridge was down, and as they gazed the gate was 
thrown open, and the guard marched out to relieve the sentries 
a: the water side. The gate remained open. Sergeant Spearman, 
a man of^huge size and great strength, advanced across the bridge alone. 
When he reached thj entrance, a sentry came out of his box and challenged. 
Spearman promptly gave the watchword, and added that he came with a 
message from Youngstown. As the man turned he sprang upon him, and 
b3fore he could cry out or defend himself, strangled him in his iron grasp. 
With a mighty cheer the storming party surged through the open gateway 
and hunted the remainder of the guard around the barrack square. Their 
ignorance of the internal arrangements of the fort gave the garrison time to 
git under arms. A cannon was fired into the square from the roof of the 
south-western tower, followed by a few scattered musket shots. Lieut. 
Nolan, of the 100th, instantly forced open the door and disappeared in the 
darkness. The momentary clash of steel was succeeded by several shots. 
When his men reached the .scene of conflict Nolan lay stone dead with four 
shot wounds and a bayonet thrust in his body. Beside him lay three Ameri- 
can soldiers, two of them dying from sword cuts and the third disabled by a 

1. Murray to Drurnmond, Dec. 19tli ; Druiumoud to Prevost, Dec. 19th ; J. Le Molae, 
Maple Leaves; J. Holmes, in Literary Garland, April, 1840. 2. Murray to Druiumocd; 
Druiniaond to Prevost. 



20 

bullet from the pistol that was still clinched in the dead officer's hand. Some 
of the inmates were killed by the exasperated grenadiers before they could 
be restrained, i 

Brevet-Major Davis of the same regiment led his company, consisting of 
only thirty-seven men, against the southern tower, which was at first very 
resolutely defended. An incessant tliough random tire killed live and 
wounded two of his men in the first attack. 

Conceiving it of vital importance to dislodge them as quickly as possible, 
Davis retired his company into the shelter of a neighboring storehouse until 
the enemy's (ire ceased, and he supposed that they were engaged in reload- 
ing. Then seizing a prisoner he threatened liim witli instant death if he 
failed to guide him to tlie entrance, and, giving a signal to his men to follow, 
rushed forward a second time. Tlie door was sooti battered in, and the 
men in the lower story ran upstairs, closely followed by their assailants, 
some of whom by their officer's command had snatched burning sticks from 
the fireplace to light them in pursuit. Others calling for scaling ladders, 
and I)avis himself shouting at the top of his voice to bayonet the fugitives 
without mercy, tlie panic-stricken garrison begged for quarter and sur- 
rendered to the number of sixty-four, only one of them being killed In this 
brief struggle. 2 All resistance then ceased. A crowd of fugitives from 
the barracks and mess house attempted to escape from the fort by the sally- 
port, but they were met and driven back by the grenadiers of the Royal 
Scots. Col. Murray hastened to the spot, and saved the lives of most 
of these men by making them lie down, but received a wound in the hand in 
his merciful effort. However, not many were killed inside the fort. Includ- 
ing the two piquets the dead numbered sixty-five and the wounded sixteen, 
all by the bayonet. Fourteen officers and .'}30 men were taken prisoners, 
and about twenty are said to escaped l3y climbing over the palisades, some 
of wliom were quite badly wounded. The loss of the storming party was 
trilling. "Lieut. Nolan and five privates of the 100th were killed; Col. 
Murray, Assistant Surgeon Ogilvie of the Royal Artillery, two men of the 
100th and one of the 41st, were wounded.* Eight Canadians and several 
Indian prisoners were released, t 1'he quantity of stores found in the fort 
was very great and of inestimable value to the captors at this particular 
time, when they were very bare of supplies. There were twenty-nine pieces 
of artillery, seven thousand muskets and rifles, and a great variety of 
ordnance stores. Seven thousand pairs of shoes, the clothing of the 8th and 
49th regiments, which had been captured on a transport on Lake Ontario, in 
June, 1813, and a vast quantity of clothing and equipments for the American 

*OCft;3lal rotura of kUlerl, wrtimdeil and prisoners in tlie garrison of Fort Niagara: Killed, 
65; wounded. 1 llt^utiMiant, 1 assistant surgeau, 14 rank and file; prisoners, 1 captain, 9 lieu- 
teuants. 2 ensigns, 1 surgeon, 1 commissary, 12 sergeants, 318 rank and file. The whole belong to 
the artillery or the line. 

t.iames (Mil. Occ, Vol II, page 18) gives tlie names of Thomas Dickson, Samuel Street, J. M. 
Caudle, John Thompson, John Macfai lane and Peter MacMicking, the latter being 80 years of 
age. 

1. Murray; Holmes; Le Moine. ". Davis to Murray. 



21 

army, formed an even more acceptable prize. Altogether the value of the 
property captured was estimated at more than a million of dollars * ^ 

At dawn the light-hearted Irish soldiers of the 100th were dancing on 
the flat roof of the barracks to the lively strains of ''St. Patrick's Bay," 
when Sir Gordon Drummoned rode through the gate. He instantly 
ordered the storming party to be formed up on the barraclc square; and 
warmly thanked officers and men for their good conduct. An hour or two 
later, Captain Leonard returned from his visit and surrendered himself. 

General Riall had meanwhile crossed the river with 1000 regulars and 
militia and nearly 500 Western Indians directed by the veterans Matthew 
Elliott and William Caldwell, who had led the same tribes at the Blue Licks 
and Sandusky in the Revolution and in many a bloody combat in the present 
war.t At live o'clock a single cannon shot from Fort Niagara conveyed the 
welcome tidings that that fortress was in Murray's po.ssession, and the 
march to Lewiston was begun The force stationed there under Major 
Bennett consisted of a weak regiment of New York State Artillery, num- 
bering 7 officers and 120 men with two guns, and 47 Tuscarora Indians 
from the neighboring reserve. As soon as he found his position seriously 
threatened, Bennett summoned Mallory's battalion of Canadian Volunteers 
to his aid from Sclilosser. Ilis whole force did not then exceed ;W0, and was 
rapidly diminished by desertion. He set fire to the public buildings and 
attempted to carry off his guns by the Ridge Road. But, being sharply 
attacked by the light troops and the Indians, these were abandoned and the 
Americans dispersed in every direction, leaving seventeen dead on the 
field and a few prisoners. Unhappily the Indians broke the ".olemn pledge 
exacted from them before crossing the river, and committed numerous 
outrages. Not only did they ransack and burn every house in sight, includ- 
ing the Tuscarora village, but they seem to have killed and wounded some 
of the unresisting inli ibitants. The entire number of persons killed has 
been stated by one writer at forty-six, but this is an evident exaggera- 
tion. 2 Twenty-seven women and children were rescued from their hands 
by the British regulars, one of whom was actually killed by them while 
protecting the prisoners from their fury. 3 One six and one twelve pounder, 
a quantity of small arms, nine barrels of powder and 200 barrels of provisions 
were captured. ^ 

Parties were sent out to range the country in different directions during 
the next few days. Several boats loaded with military stores were taken at the 
Four Mile Creek The mills at the Eighteen Mile and Oak Orchard Creeks, 
which had supplied flour to the United States army, were next distroyed. 

•Brass guns : ten six-pounders, three four-pounders, one three-pounder, two eight inch 
howitzers two ten inch mortars. Iron guns: three eighteen pounders, three twelve-pounders, 
four six-pounders, one one-auda-half pounder, 140 ) English bayonets, 1800 French bayonets, 
7200 French muskets, IC cwt. buclishot, 52 cwt. of lead. 

tSth Kegt and 89th Light Co , 250 ; 4l3t, Grenadiers, 100th, 250 ; Royal Scots. 400 ; Militia, 100. 



1 Murrav, Dec. 19 ; Drummoud, Uec. 19. 2. C. P. Turner, Dark Days on the Frontier, 
p. 10. 3. Drummond to Prevost, Dec. 20; Bennett's letter in Albany Ar^zis, Jan, 1814. 
4. James' Mil. Occ, vol. II, 19. 



00 



with most of the houses along the lake. The inhabitants who were the 
principal sufferers on this occasion admitted, however, that the officers in 
command executed the harsh task of retaliation with as much lenity as 
could be expected. "Seldom," says the local historian, "has there been a 
more peaceable march of invaders through a conquered territory. The 
orders of the officer from his superior were stringent and even sanguinary, 
but he managed to discharge his duty according to the dictates of humanity. 
In several instances he ordered his own men to assist in removing the most 
necessary articles of household furniture before tiring houses; and when 
the mill of .Judge Van Horn was tired he ordered several barrels of Hour to be 
rolled out for the use of the families he had reluctantly made destitute." i 

On the 21 st it was learned that a small force was still assembled at 
Manchester and Schlosser for the defence of the mills and storehouses, and 
General lliall moved against it with the Royal Scots and 41st, and a few 
Indians. The Americans, who were commanded by Mallory, retreated after 
a slight skirmish, leaving Lieut. Low, of the 2:h'd U. 8. Infantry, mortally 
wounded, and another officer and seven men prisoners. General Porter's 
mills and ropewalk, and the public storehouse, containing a large quantity of 
hay and grain, were destroyed at Manchester, and at Schlosser tlie blockhouse, 
barracks and storehouse, with several large boats and scows. The pursuit 
was continued as far as Tonawanda Creek, where the only bridge was 
destroyed by Mallory. All tlie remaining houses between Schlosser and 
Lewiston were then burnt, and iliall retired to the Canadian side of the 
river, leaving a garrison of 500 men in Fort Niagara. 2 

The Indians retired to Burlington to divide their plunder with their 
families, and as the weather daily grew colder Drummond was reluctantly 
constrained to give his weary soldiers a few days's rest, for none of them had 
either fur caps or mitts, and some were even without greatcoats. He felt 
confident of his ability to take Buffalo, and began to plan the re-conquest 
of Michigan. "Detroit and the whole of tlie west could be re-occupied if I 
only had men, without difficulty," he wrote on the 22nd December. "We 
ouglit to use a well-equipped force, not one that is harassed and disorganized 
as this is, without rield train, artificers, engineers, and commissariat, toobtain 
and maintain communications with the western Indians." 

On the 19th General McCiure retired from Buffalo with the regulars 
under his command to Miller's Tavern at Cold Spring, about tliree miles 
distant on the road to Batavia. On the 20th lie directed General Hopkins to 
take command at Buffalo, while he declared his intention of proceeding with 
the regulars to the relief of P^ort Niagara, which was said to be in "imminent 
danger." 

Tlie destruction of Lewiston was then known to him, but not the capture 
of the fort. In response to his requisition, General Hopkins had called out his 
brigade with very slight success. The next day McClure wrote to the 
Governor that 400 militia liad come in, "but they are more engaged in taking 

1. Turner, Hist. IloUiiiui Pun-Uase. 2. Druminoud to Prevost, Dec. 22; Buffalo Gazette; 
KVoBMy Argus: Nlles' AV^/V/c/-,- ^o^lan Messenger. 



23 

care of their families than la helping us to fight. I leave General Hopkins 
in command at Buffalo, while I go with 100 regulars and some Indians to cut 
our way if possible into Fort Niagara. That point is in imminent danger, not 
200 men there and all our arms and anmiunitioc . The last campaign has been 
conducted in such a manner that I shall beg leave to retire as soon as I can 
be relieved. My whole force is not a major's command." It is quite evident 
that he kept well out of danger, for on the 22nd he informed the Governor 
from Buffalo that he had called out the militia of Niagara, Genesee and 
Chautauqua counties en masse. On the same day he caused his aide-de-camp 
to reply to a letter written by Colonel Harvey from York on the llth, by 
instruction of General Drummond, to inquire whether " the atrocious 
act of burning Newark " was done by the authority of his Government, that 
he was "only accountable to his Government for any act of procedure while 
in command. As respects the atrocity of the act of burning Newark (as you 
please to call it), you will certainly admit that it is not without a prece- 
dent. He needs only to remind you of Plavre de Grace, Frenchtown, Sodus, 
etc., etc , long previous to the conflagration of Newaik." 

On the 23rd he siezed the pen himself to protest against the devastation 
of the frontier he had so signally failed to protect, in a letter addressed to 
General Vincent: 

"I would direct your view to the desolated village of Lewiston; the 
wanton massacre of unoffending and unresisting citizens, men, women and 
children, deliberately butchered in cold blood by your savage allies and under 
your eye. The blood of these citizens calls for vengeance," he continued in 
his usual declamatory vein, "and I am constrained to declare that hereafter 
it will be my duty, in imitation of your barbarous policy, to yield to war all 
its horrors by retaliating those wrongs which you have wantonly inflicted. " 

Vincent was then some hundreds of miles away, but Harvey promptly 
replied at considerable length : 

"That some excesses were committed the Lieutenant-Generat admits and 
sincerely laments.'' Drummond bade him write. "At the same time, he has 
the satisfaction of knowing that every effort and exertion was used by 
Major-General Riall and the officers and soldiers of the British force under 
his command to restrain these excesses. You, sir, however, can but be aware 
of the difficulty, or rather the impossibility, of effectually controlling an 
infuriated band of savages. Major-General Riall and the (Officers under his 
command did, however, afford effectual protection to all who remained in 
their houses, A British soldier, a sentinel, lost his life in defending a 
female, an inhabitant, and no less than nine women and eighteen children 
saved by the intrepidity of the Major-General and the troops from the savage 
fury of the Indians, and now in safety on our frontier, sufficiently attest the 
anxious desire of the British troops and their commander to alleviate as 
much as possible to the peaceful inhabitants the dreadful evils of a mode of 
warfare to which the example of the American Government had compelled us 
to have recourse. 

" I allude as well to the employment of Indians by the American 



24 

generals beyond their own frontier as to the burning of "Niagara, in which 
a number of old and intirm persons were left to perish in the snow, an act 
which, the season of the year and all other circumstances considered, is 
unexampled in barbarity." i 

By this time General McClure had become utterly discredited among his 
own men and thought proper to retire to Batavia, taking with him the 
whole of his regular force, in disregard of the remonstrances of many of the 
inhabitants. He then informed the Secretary of War that it would be 
necessary to send a force of regulars to prevent the British from penetrating 
into the interior of the State. The militia would not act without them. 
His own brigade, which he had formerly praised so highly, "ultimately 
proved to be very little better than an infuriated mob." This he ascribed 
to the conduct of the officers, who were seeking popularity and would not 
enforce discipline. He concluded by a bitter complaint against his old friend 
Chapin. "Since dismissing him and his marauding corps, he has been guilty of 
the most outrageous acts of mutiny if not of treason. When 1 came to 
Buffalo, accompanied only by my suite, he headed a mob for the 
purpose of doing violence to my feelings and person, and when march- 
ing to the Rock at the time of an alarm, five or six guns were discharged 
at me by his men." ~ The regular officers of his staff seem to have fully 
shared liis resentment against tlie inhabitants of Buffalo, as several of them 
openly expressed their hopes that the place would be destroyed, even in the 
hearing of the militia advancing to its defence, a sentiment certainly not 
calculated to raise their spirits. 

The alarm spread with great rapidity. At Auburn it was rej.orted that 
British troops had already advanced to the Genesee, and a court-martial 
sitting there hastily broke up. The militia were called out en masse as far 
eastward as Cayuga, and marclied towards the frontier as fast as they 
could be assembled. In utter disgust with McClure, the Secretary of War 
wrote to the Governor of New York, "Relieve the man. But what of Hall ? 
Of liim the report formerly was not good." Long before this letter could 
reach its destination, this had actually been done and General Amos Hall 
had assumed command at Buffalo. -^ 

His military experience had been-acquired as a sergeant in the Revolu- 
tion. Of late years he had kept a tavern at Canandaigua, and had grown 
wealthy and influential. ^ * On arriving in Buffalo on the 2(ith of Decemoer 
he found about 2000 militia there, according to his own account, but a private 
letter writteii the same day estimated the entire number of troops assembled 
on the frontier at 3000, and added confidently, "in a few days we shall have 
5000, all determined to cross into Canada and retaliate." & 

•The lunkeepers of ."Xinerica are ia most vUlaces wbat we vulgarly caU 'topping meu," 
lielil officers of militia with good farms attached to their taverns so that they are apt to thiuk 
what perliaps in a newly settled country is not very wide of the truth, that travellers r;Uher 
receive than confer a favor by being accommodated at their houses.— Hall's Travels in the I . S. 
and Canada 1816, p. 57. 



1 Harvey to McClure, 27th Dec. 1813. 2 McClure to Secretary of War. Dec , 25. 3. J. A. 
Spencer to Tompkins, Sfitu Dec; Armstrong to Tompkins, Dec 26th. 4. SutcUfife, Travels in 
America. 5. Hall to To'ni)kins Dec. 26th; A\ha,uy A >\giii. 



25 

Drummond appears to have been faithfully served by his spies and 
scouts, and quietly continued his preparations for crossing the river again. 
The great depth of the snowdrifts delayed the work of conveying the boats 
around the Falls, and it was not until the 26th that he succeeded, by 
immense exertions, in launching ten at Cliippawa. He determined to 
attempt the passage of the river on the following night. But the Indians 
had failed to return from Burlington, and a body of Americans unexpect-^ 
edly appeared at Lewiston. He was that day joined by 200 of the 8th and 
60 of the 89th, who had marched directly from Kingston, and small bands of 
Indians also came forward. During the night a scouting party crossed 
the river and brought off as prisoners two cavalry vedettes from a tavern 
below Black Kock. Tliis exploit caused an extraordinary commotion 
in the American camp, i On the 28th Drummond published a general order 
directing the troops to be in readiness to embark on the night of the 29th. 
\fter observing that the corps he intended to employ had always been 
distinguished for courage and discipline, and that having served in each of 
them himself he took more than ordinary interest in their success, the order 

''The service they are going upon is an arduous one, for though the 
enemy they will have to encounter be undisciplined and composed almost 
entirely of militia, yet he is numerous and highly exasperated. The troops 
miust therefore depend wholly, not only for their success, but even tor their 
safetv, on their bravery and discipline; a relaxation in the latter may be as 
fatal" as even deficiency in the former quality. The Lieut.-General most 
stronglv enjoins the troops HCi-er Zo tliroio away their fire; when they do give 
it let it be with regularity and consequently with effect. But the bayonet 
is the weapon most formidable in the hands of British soldiers, and he 
earnestly hopes that on it they will place their principal dependence on the 

present occasion. . i- ,i +^v.« 

"Any soldier leaving his ranks for the purpose of plunder is liable to be 

shot on the spot. The captured property belongs not to any individual, but 

to all. , J • ^4- 

"Intoxication in the presence of the enemy, let it be remembered, is not 
only the most disgraceful, but the most dangerous crime a soldier can 
commit. The man who wilfully disqualifies himself for meeting the enemy, 
by whatever means, cannot be considered a brave man." 

The force designated for the attack and placed under the immediate 
command of Major-General Riall, consisted of 965 regular infantry, fifty 
militia and 400 Indians.* Kiall was instructed to cross with two-thirds ot 
his troops below Squaw Island, and the remainder on a preconcerted signal 
were to pass the river between Black Rock and Buffalo. After taking the 
batteries and dispersing the toops at Black Rock, they were to march upon 
Buffalo in two divisions, one by the Lake Road and the other by the road 

Mst Royal Scots, 370; 8th Kings. 240; 41st, 2nd Battalion, 250; Light Company, 89th, 55 ; 
Grenadiers, lOOth, 50 ; militia, 50 ; Indians, 400. ^ 

1. Drummond to Prevost, Dec. 22 ; Ibid, Dec. 26. 



26 

leading to the Eleven Mile Creek, Williamsville. where the Americans had a 
military post. If the enemy seemed likely to rally they were to be pursued 
to the latter place. Parties were to be detailed for the destruction of four 
vessels of the Lake Erie squadron which lay fast in the ice at the mouth of 
Buffalo Creek, but provisions and supplies of all kinds must be carefully 
preserved. "The Indians must be restrained, the persons and property of 
the inhabitantsiprotected, and all the liquor is to be destroyed to prevent it 
falling into the hands of the troops." i 

The position occupied by General Hall was undoubtedly strong. With 
a broad and rapid river in front and deep thougli sluggish creeks on either 
flank, it was remarkably difficult of access. The high steep clay banks 
afforded excellent sites for batteries, of which there were four, so arranged 
as to sweep all parts of the river from the Buffalo Creek to Black Rock with 
a cross tire of heavy artillery. On these were mounted eleven guns, several 
of them 24 and 32 pounders, and an eight-incli mortar. 2 

On the 27th an ofHcial return showed that the militia at Black Rock and 
Buffalo numbered 1711 rank and file.* There were besides probably four or 
five hundred regular infantry, artillery.and seamen, under their own officers, 
over whom General flail expressly stated that he assumed no control. On 
the 29th a regiment of militia, three hundred strong, under Lieut. -Col. 
McMahon, marched in from Chautauqua County. The arrival of further 
reinforcements is not recorded, but General Cass asserted that the numberof 
militia present at the time of the attack was between 2500 and 3000. There is, 
however, no reason to question General Hall's statement that '• they were 
disorganized and confused and everything wore the appearance of consterna- 
tion and dismay." As usual, they were boastful and insubordinate. 3 

About midnight Riall succeeded in crossing below Squaw Island 
unopposed and undiscovered, taking with him the detachments of the 8th, 
4]st,8i)th and 100th, and followed by the greater part of the Indians. Moving 
forward in the dark, the advance guard surprised the American pickets and 
gained possession of the bridge over Shogeoquady Creek before the guard 
posted there had time to destroy it, although tliey found the planks loosened 
in readiness to be removed. A battery of tliree guns painted to sweep the 
approaches to the bridge and manned by sailors from the gunboats was then 
carried at a rush, after a single random disciiarge of artillery. A halt was 
then made to enable the main body, whicli was still struggling among the 

*At Buffalo. 

Cavalry and Mounted Infantry, Lt.-Col. Boughtoo 129 

Ontario County Volunteers, Lt.-Col. Blakeslee 43.3 

Buffalo Militia, Lt.-Col. Chapln 13K 

Canadian Volnnteera, Lt -Col. Mallory 97 

Genesee County JViilltia, Alajor Adams 389 

At Black Roch. 

Niagara County Militia, Lt -Cols. Warren and Churchill 382 

Mounted Infantry, Captain Hansom ,3" 

Indians, Lt.-Col. Granger 83 

Artillery, Lieut. Seeley 25 

1. Instructions to General Rla 11, Dee. 29; Drummond to Prevost, Jan. 2, 1813. 2. Drum- 
mond, Jan. 2; Ketchum, Hist, of Buffalo. 3. Hall to TompKins, 6th Jan. 



27 

thickets in the marshy ground near the river, to come up, and also to give 
time for the co-operation of the other column, i 

The detachment detailed for the more dangerous task of crossing the 
river in tlie face of the batteries was composed of 370 men of the Royal 
Scots and fifty militia, under the command of Lieut. -Col. John Gordon. 
Lieuts. Anderson, Davis and Putman of the Lincoln militia, who were 
acquainted with the river, had gallantly volunteered to pilot the boats, a 
service of much danger and difficulty. They performed their duty tlioroughly 
well, but owing to some misunderstanding on the part of their men, the 
boats were brouglit in the dark to a part! of tlie shore where the water was ■ 
very shallow and full of rocks, upon which some of them ran' aground. 
Before they were got afloat the booming of cannon and rattle of musketry 
on the other side of the river announced that General Riall had begun the 
attack. Day was then breaking, and the noise and confusion of the men 
struggling in the icy water immediately attracted the enemy's attention, 
and in a few minutes every gun in the batteries that could be brought to 
bear opened Are upon them, before they had fairly got under way. Five 
tield guns that had been hastily mounted on the dismantled earthworks on 
the Canadian shore replied at once, but in most cases their shot fell short 
and failed not only to silence the American guns but even to disperse the 
crowds of infantry that lined the bank. Exposed to a musketry Bre from 
600 men for fully fifteen minutes, the Scots lost fifty men killed or wounded 
before they set foot on shore. None of the boats, however, were either 
destroyed or disabled and the landing was finally effected in admirable order. 
The banks were climbed and the batteries taken almost without a struggle. 
At the same time General Riall was steadily advancing from below, brushing 
the militia before him with ease, although the broken nature of the ground 
and innumerable thickets necessarily rendered his progress slow. '^ 

On the first alarm some hundreds of Hall's men had deserted, many of 
them actually leaving their arms in the houses where they had been 
quartered. The commands of Warren and Churchill were dispersed at the 
first attack Adam«i and Chapin came to their support and were routed 
with equal facility. These were succeeded by Grangers Indians.andMallory's 
corps, who for some time kept up a brisk thougli ill-directed fire from the 
shelter of woods andjfences, while Hall collected the remainder of liis troops in 
and about an earthwork and log blockhouse, known as Fort Tompkins. Here 
they hadtwo 12-pounders and a i4-pr)under worked by regulars and seamen 
under Lieut. Farmer of the 2fst Infantry, and a 6-pounder field-piece 
served by the volunteer artillery company. The strength of this position 
should have enabled them at least to make a creditable resistance, but 
they were scattered at the first charge and all their guns taken. At the 
junction of the Black Rock road with Main street in Buffalo. Chapin made 
a final stand with another tield gun, but finding that there was no prospect 
of success? came forward with a white flag and surrendered the place. It 

1. Drummond; Hall; James; Lossiag. 2. Drummond; HaU; James; Ketchum ; Losslng; 
Dorsheimer; la Buffalo Hist. Coll. 



28 

was found impossible to rally the fugitives, and Hall retired at once to the 
Eleven Mile Creek, where he was unable to collect more than two or three 
hundred men. The remainder had disbanded and returned to their homes in 
small parties, spreading panic wherever they passed. Their loss in killed 
and wounded was never accurately ascertained, in consequence. One writer 
indeed gives the names of eighty-seven of the former, and anotlier states 
that eighty-nine bodies were buried in a single grave. A historian of 
Chautauqua County relates that only six men out of a company of twenty- 
one returned to their homes, and an officer marching through Cattaraugus 
County the following summer comments on the "great scarcity of men, 
which he attributes to the heavy losses sustained by the militia at ButTalo. 
General Txiall was therefore probably not very far astray when he estimated 
their killed and wounded at between 300 and 400. Lt.-Col. Boughton, of 
the cavalry, Major Dudley, and Adjutant Totman of the Canadian volun- 
teers, were the only officers of rank killed. The prisoners, according to the 
official return, numbered one hundred and thirty, among whom were Lieut. - 
Colonels Chapin and Gardner. The victors lost 102 in killed, wounded and 
missing. =^ i 

The dispersion of General Hall's force was complete. On the Gth of 
January General Wadsworth reported that only 200 men out of as many 
thou.sands had assembled at Eleven Mile Creek. " The consternation of the 
militia is so great," he added, "that they cannot be reduced to tolerable 
order for some time. One hundred regulars and fifty Indians would now 
march to Batavia without serious opposition. The frontier is now dependent 
for its safety on the clemency of the English, Butler's Rangers, and the 
Indians." General Hall corroborated this view of the situation, and 
admitted that his loss in killed and wounded was much more serious than 
he had at first believed. Fifty of the dead had been buried and others were 
lying scattered in the woods where they fell. 

During the three days following the action the villages of Black Rock 
and Buffalo were almost entirely destroyed. Most of the inhabitants had 
abandoned their dwellings and removed their most valuable household 
effects in anticipation of the attack. One woman is said, however, to have 
been killed in resisting the Indians. The wooden buildings were burnt and 
a few of the more substantial houses blown up. The navy yard at Black 
Rock and four vessels of the Lake Erie squadron, the Arid, Cluppawa, Trippr 
and Little Belt, were likewise destroyed. The Seneca village in the vicinity 
shared the same fate, and Colonel Gordon with the Royal Scots, and a 
squadron of the 19th Dragoons under Major Lisle, marched down to Lewiston, 

*lst Koy.Hl Sfots— Two corportals and 1"< privates kiUed 3 sergeants and 27 i)rivates 
■wounded, (i privates inisslng. Sth Kings— 7 privates killed, Lt -Col. Ogilvie. Lieut Young and 14 
jjrivates wounded. 89tli — 3 privatea killed, 5 wounded. lOOih— ('apt. Fawcett and 4 privates 
wounded, Militia— 3 privates kiUed, Capt. Servos and 5 pi'ivates wounded. Indians— 3 killed, 3 
wounded. 



1. Ketchuin ; Warren ; Hist. Chautauqua Co. ; Johnson, History Erie Co ; White, Hist. 
Fenton, etc. 



29 

laying waste the country as they passed.* These events spread terror 
throughout western New York. A traveller met on the road between 
Cayuga and Le Roy more than one hundred families in waggons, sleighs and 
sleds, and found the Tuscarora Indians encamped in the woods without 
shelter, near the latter village. The Governor of the State said, "The panic 
which these transactions have spread among the inhabitants is inconceiv- 
able. They are abandoning their possessions and flocking into the interior." 
The relieving committee report that the ''whole of Niagara County and all 
that part of Genesee County west of the Genesee river " were quite depopu- 
lated, and that all the settlements in a tract of country forty miles square 
were " entirely broken up." Many persons living east of the Genesee 
deserted their homes in the first shock of panic,andthe,roadsfor many miles 
were covered with fugitives, i 

The destruction of Niagara had been avenged ten-fold, and the wretched 
inhabitants on both sides of the river had suffered in turn all the miseries 
that war could inflict. 

* The miintoer of buildings destroyed was stated as follows by the committee on losses: 
\t Buffalo- 61) wooden houses, 2 briek, 1 stone, l(i stores 35 liarns, h" shops, valued at SlfliMXO, 
At Bla( k Kock 16 frame houses, 11 log houses, 8 liarns, .$1V,0110. Elsewhere— 20 frame houses, fiT 
log houses, 5 stores, 29 barns, 30 shops, valued at ?141,000. 



1. Buffalo GazcUc; Albany Argus. 




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